'University of Malaya, Academy of Islamic Studies'
Abstract
Describes the development of ONLIS, a customised user interface for computerised
MARC cataloguing and information retrieval targeted for use in small libraries and
information centres. Micro CDS/ISIS Ver. 3.07 software package and its built-in
Pascal language were used for the design process and development. The design
philosophy centres on the development of a very user-friendly and simple interface,
capable of mimicking the sdient features 0/ contemporary commercial library package,
yet easy to implement and maintain in a small library environment requiring little or
no technical expertise. The system incorporates many new features and comprises two
main components, namely (a) data entry and file maintenance and (b) information
retrieval. A security system is incorporated into the former environment to ensure data
integrity and regulate important file maintenance tasks. While the system is ready for
immediate implementation in libraries, modifications and enhancements are currently
undertaken to make it a truly reliable product. Some degree of user training in MARC
and cataloguing using AACR2 is necessary to get the maximum benefits from the
system
